Anti-windforce rib assembly of multiple-fold umbrella

Abstract

An anti-windforce rib assembly of multiple-fold umbrella includes: a spring rib connected between an inner rib and an outer rib of the rib assembly, a buffer device formed on the spring rib and connected to the inner rib, whereby upon blowing of a strong wind to the rib assembly, the force of the strong wind will be dampened, weakend or released by the buffer device on the spring rib to minimize the wind force acting upon the rib assembly to prevent from bending, deformation, breakage or damage of the umbrella rib assembly.

I claim:  
     
       1. A rib assembly of multiple-fold umbrella comprising: 
       an inner rib pivotally secured to and adjacent to a central shaft, an outer rib distal from said central shaft and opposite to said inner rib, an intermediate rib and a spring rib respectively connected between said inner rib and said outer rib, with said spring rib juxtapositionally coupled to said intermediate rib;  
       a said inner rib including top rib pivotally secured to an upper notch formed on a top of said central shaft, and a stretcher rib pivotally secured to said top rib and pivotally secured to a runner slidably held on said central shaft, an inner connecting rib pivotally connected between said top rib and said intermediate rib, said spring rib slidality coupled to said intermediate rib, and said outer rib including a tail rib respectively pivotally connected to said intermediate rib through an outer connecting rib and an outer spring rib, with said outer connecting rib pivotally connected to said spring rib; wherein  
       said spring rib includes a buffer device formed on said spring rib and secured to said stretcher rib for dampening a wind or external force acting upon the rib assembly for preventing damage to the rib assembly.  
     
     
       2. A rib assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said buffer comprises a slide member slidably engaging in a groove recessed in said stretcher rib and connected to an inner end of said spring rib; and a tension spring connected with said slide member and secured to said stretcher rib. 
     
     
       3. A rib assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said tension spring has an inner spring end secured to a pin fixed on said stretcher rib, and an outer spring end of said tension spring secured to a hook portion formed on said slide member. 
     
     
       4. A rib assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said slide member includes a lug protruding outwardly from said slide member, through a slot cut in a bottom of said stretcher rib, for connecting the inner end of said spring rib, said lug of said slide member operatively reciprocatively sliding in said slot and limited in said slot when pulling or releasing said spring rib and said tension spring. 
     
     
       5. A rib assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said buffer device includes a tension spring having an inner spring end secured to said stretcher rib, and an outer spring end secured to the inner end of said spring rib. 
     
     
       6. A rib assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said spring rib has its inner end formed as a stopping portion to be retained in a contracted outer spring end of said tension spring, and a guiding rod portion formed on an inner portion of said spring rib to reciprocatively guide the tension spring about said guiding rod portion of said spring rib. 
     
     
       7. A rib assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said buffer device includes a tension spring integrally formed with said spring rib. 
     
     
       8. A rib assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said buffer device includes a slide member slidably engaged with said stretcher rib of said rib assembly and a tension spring forming a closing spring of an automatic umbrella, and said tension spring retained between said slide member and said top rib of said rib assembly.